Acme strike is averted; settlement may be near

The threat of a strike involving cashiers and clerks at 31
area Acme Markets has been averted for the time being.

Local 1360 of the United Food and Commercial Workers Union,
representing 2,300 workers, has been authorized by its
members to call a strike.

A statement Acme issued Monday on behalf of it and the union
indicated a settlement may be on the horizon.

"Acme and UFCW Local 1360 are pleased to report that
progress was made on many key issues during the past three
days of negotiations," a statement issued by Acme
Director of Communications and Public Affairs Gail Street
reads. "Although we have not reached a final
agreement, both sides are committed to reaching a fair and
reasonable settlement."

"Everything will be business as usual in our stores as
negotiations continue," reads a statement from Judy
Spires, Acme president, posted on the Web site
www.acmelabornews.com

According to a letter to Local 1360 President Sam Ferraino
from Spires, Acme has proposed, in negotiations, an increase
in company pension contributions and wage improvements.

The cashiers and clerks have been working without a contract
since April.

Ferraino previously said health care benefits was a sticking
point in negotiations.

The current cost for health care is $20 million, and the
union was able to find a plan that reduced that cost to
$17.4 million while maintaining benefits.

Acme rejected the proposal, and the only thing they told
Local 1360 was a "philosophical difference,"
Ferraino said previously.

"We want to be able to respond to the changing competitive environment so we can protect market share," the company indicated in its online statement. "We need to have the right people in our stores at the right time to serve our customers. We must keep the costs associated with running our business in line with others in the marketplace. And we have to invest in our business to keep things fresh, exciting and relevant. Our goal is to reach a fair contract that balances all those factors."...